The Damariscotta Police Dept. has charged two Nobleboro men in connection with the theft of copper wire from the Colby & Gale headquarters on Biscay Road.
Nathan Brewer, 22, and Richard Levensaler III, 27, face three charges each, including felony (Class C) charges of aggravated criminal mischief.
The other, misdemeanor (Class D) charges are reckless conduct and theft by unauthorized taking.
The department has summonsed Levensaler and placed a hold on Brewer’s probation. Brewer is serving a year of probation after pleading guilty to a variety of offenses, including theft, in March.
Brewer and Levensaler allegedly stole about 15 feet of copper wiring from gas pumps at the Colby & Gale building Aug. 21. A video recording of the incident allegedly shows Brewer smoking a cigarette, underlining the reckless nature of the crime, acting Police Chief Chad Andrews said.
The pair also allegedly sabotaged propane tanks at the site, causing about $500 of propane to leak from the tanks. The Damariscotta Fire Dept. responded to the scene.
The damage, not including the cost of the fire department’s response, totals about $1600, Andrews said.
Colby & Gale President Robert Clifford said the damage was “fixed immediately” after the incident.
The theft reflects a statewide rise in copper thefts following a dramatic increase in scrap prices in recent years.